Despite a pair of power play goals by Lightning prospect Richard Panik, Slovakia could not overcome an initial 4-0 defecit as they fell 5-2 to neighbor Czech Republic. Fellow Lightning prospect Adam Janosik assisted on one of Panik's goals. Panik also took minors for slashing and tripping. Panik and Janosik finished first and second on Team Slovakia in scoring, respectively, for the tournament. That's not half bad. They were also two of the four players on Slovakia to end the WJC's with a plus rating.

Brett Connolly assisted on Quinton Howden's game winning goal in Canada's 4-1 semifinal victory over Team USA. Fellow Lightning prospect Carter Ashton had a minor for slashing in the match. The Canadians dominated the match, outshooting the Americans 41-23 in the contest.

Tomorrow, Slovakia will play the Czech Republic to polish off the relegation round, setting the stage for Wednesday's championship game between the Canadians and semifinal winner Russia, which beat Sweden 4-3 in a shootout today. Sweden will play Team USA for the bronze medal in the match preceeding the championship game.

Carter Ashton assisted on a Casey Cizikas goal that was the first of three unanswered goals in Canada's 4-1 victory over Switzerland. Brayden Schenn once again led the Canadians with a pair of assists. Brett Connolly created multiple scoring chances and hit a crossbar. He played a strong game.

Slovakian captain Richard Panik had a hat trick, with two empty net goals, and a helper while fellow Lightning prospect Adam Janosik added a pair of power play helpers in Slovakia's 5-0 blitzing of Norway. Slovakian netminder Juraj Holly stopped all 37 shots he faced for the shutout. Slovakia was actually outshot 37-31 in the match.

Canada moves on to face Team USA tomorrow in their seemingly annual battle of the titans in the semifinals. Slovakia will face the Czech Republic in a backyard brawl on Tuesday to complete the relegation round slate. Slovakia will finish no worse than second in the relegation round group. Norway will be relegated and it will take a German win against Norway and a Czech loss to Slovakia for the Germans to avoid the same fate.

Minnesota Wild draft pick Erik Haula had a pair of goals as Finland pummelled relegation round-bound Slovakia 6-0. Lightning prospect Adam Janosik was named Slovakia's best player in the defeat. Fellow Lightning prospect Richard Panik took a minor for interference in the match.

Slovakia allowed 2 unanswered goals in the final 5:56 of regulation to fall 6-4 to Switzerland. Lightning prospect Richard Panik, who was named Slovakia's best player in the match, had tied the score at 4-4 earlier in the third period, but it was not enough. The forward also took two penalties for roughing and a minor for slashing in the contest. Fellow Lightning prospect Adam Janosik assisted on Panik's goal. Panik, Slovakia's captain, played on Slovakia's top line and Janosik has consistently been on Slovakia's top pair throughout the tournament.

The loss will likely, and unexpectedly, force Slovakia into the relegation round where they will probably face Germany, Norway, and either Russia or the Czech Republic. Switzerland actually vaulted ahead of Team USA in Pool A with the victory.

If you took the BoltProspects over for Canadian goals like we told you, then you had a winner winner, chicken dinner tonight in Buffalo at the WJC's. Brett Connolly assisted on goals by Casey Cizikas and likely 2011 top pick Sean Couturier in Canada's 10-1 dismantling of Norway. Ashton scored what would have been Canada's 10th goal, but it was waived off due to an apparent kick. Replays clearly showed Ashton didn't kick the puck, but the goal was not reviewed.

Panik and Janosik and the Slovakians draw El Nino and Switzerland tomorrow afternoon.

Brayden Schenn had 1 goal and 5 points in Canada's 7-2 spanking of the Czech Republic. Lightning prospect Carter Ashton remained on Canada's second line and recorded his first point of the tournament assisting on a Ryan Ellis goal. Brett Connolly was again one of Canada's extra forwards.

Kyle Palmieri had a pair of goals as Team USA smoked Slovakia 6-1, outshooting the Slovaks a dumbfounding 57-18 in the process. To his credit, Lightning prospect Richard Panik was not on the ice for any of the US's goals as his top line stayed clean. Going one better, top pair defenseman Adam Janosik was one of just four Slovakian players to be in the plus side in the match, although he was on the ice for a power play goal by Palmieri. Still, when you don't finish a minus in a game where your team gets spanked 6-1, you managed to do something right. Janosik also took a minor for holding in the match.

Canada draws Norway tomorrow night in their third game of the tournament. If the over-under was 9 goals for the Canadians, I'd be taking the over.

Did Richard Panik play well? Check the IIHF website, which has Panik's name splashed on the game story. Panik set up the overtime winning goal with a great cross-ice feed and scored Slovakia's other goal in a 2-1 win over Germany. Panik, Slovakia's captain, was assisted on the opening goal of the match by fellow Lightning prospect Adam Janosik, who fed Panik on a score on a 3-on-2 rush. Slovakia's win likely assures that they won't have to endure the relegation round.

Tomorrow, the Slovaks draw Team USA and the Canadians draw the Czech Republic.

Canada scored three unanswered goals in the final period to pull away from Russia 6-3. Lightning prospects Carter Ashton and Brett Connolly did not find the scoresheet for the Canadians. Ashton skated on Canada's second line with Casey Cizikas and Cody Eakin, while Connolly, who was questionable after a pre-tournament concussion, was an extra forward in the match. Canada outshot Russia 42-27 in the victory.

Sault Ste. Marie team site SooToday.com is confirming that Lightning 2010 3rd round draft pick Brock Beukeboom has been invited to Team Canada's Junior Team development camp scheduled for August 5-7 in St. John's, Newfoundland. Beukeboom will join 40+ players vying for a spot on Team Canadaâ€™s entry at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship set to be held in Buffalo and Niagara, New York.

â€œThis is a great opportunity for me to get a real taste of the best in Junior Hockey and to prove that I can play there,â€ explained Beukeboom.

BoltProspects expects Beukeboom to also suit up for the Lightning's entry into the Traverse City Prospects tournament scheduled for September 11-15 in Traverse City, MI.